What happens if you fail the SERU test
Short answer
You can try again. PHV applicants normally have 3 attempts, taxi drivers have no limit, and each resit costs £30.
Source: TfL driver policy v6.0 (section 3.10.3), Notice 06/25 (taxi) and TfL, Notice 05/26 (fee). Checked 3 Nov 2026.
Many people fail SERU the first time: only 54% of PHV candidates passed (Oct 2025 – Apr 2026, TfL FOI). Failing once is common. What matters is what you do next.
PHV and taxi rules
| Rule | PHV | Taxi |
|---|---|---|
| AttemptsTfL driver policy v6.0; taxi: TfL, Notice 06/25 | Normally 3 | No limit |
| Resit feeTfL, Notice 05/26 | £30 | £30 |
| After failing | After the 3rd fail, the application is normally refused. You can apply again straight away (£138). | No licence until you pass. Renewing drivers who applied in time can keep working and have 12 months from expiry to pass. |
A 5-day plan for your resit
- Day 1Take a full practice test with the timer. Write down your two weakest sections.
- Day 2Read our summary of your weakest section, then the same pages in the handbook.
- Day 3Do the same for your second weakest section. Learn the numbers table by heart.
- Day 4Practise fill-in questions. Look at the words before and after each space.
- Day 5Take another full practice test. Read every explanation, even for the ones you got right.
The handbook guide has a summary and free questions for every section.
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Questions
How many attempts do I get at the SERU test?
PHV applicants normally get 3 attempts (TfL driver policy v6.0). Taxi drivers can retake the taxi SERU as many times as they need (TfL, Notice 06/25).
What happens if I fail the SERU test twice?
As a PHV applicant you can normally still book a third attempt. It costs £30. Use your report to fix your weak sections first.
What happens after the third fail?
TfL normally refuses your licence application. This also happens after 3 missed bookings without a good reason. You can make a new application straight away; it costs £138 (TfL, Notice 05/26).
How much is a SERU resit?
£30 since 9 March 2026, paid to TfL (TfL, Notice 05/26). Before that it was £16.
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